Grazing and restoration of archipelago and coastal environments

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

Sweden’s archipelago habitats have high nature conservation values and this is mainly attributed to the islands’ specific geological conditions, micro-climate and farming history. Together these factors create very different conditions for flora and fuana and few similar habitat types exist in significant quantities on the Swedish mainland. Archipelago habitats have suffered during recent decades from abandonment of traditional land use practices, which leads to species-rich areas becoming overgrown by scrub vegetation and this is threatening the extinction, at national level, of different species. Some of the island species are also threatened in a European context. Habitat management measures are required to prevent further deterioration of the archipelago habitats.

OBJECTIVES

The main aim of this LIFE Nature project is to restore specific habitat types to favourable conservation status within 23 Natura 2000 sites associated with the Swedish archipelago in the Counties of Västra Götaland, Halland, Blekinge and Stockholm. A partnership approach between the four counties is expected to provide operational efficiencies and create an increased understanding about nature conservation activity in coastal habitats. Participation of the local farming community in habitat conservation work will form an important goal and this is expected to help secure long term sustainable rural development benefits.

Expected results:

The project will improve the conservation status of 12 habitats and 13 species in 23 Natura 2000 sites;

Restoration actions on 1 826 ha of open and tree covered habitats will target 12 habitat types (see section below) that are listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. This will involve clearance of trees and bushes from 990 ha, controlled burning on 41 plots, and the establishment of grazing on 900 ha;

Management interventions will also target three species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive and 10 birds listed in Annex I the Birds Directive (see section below); and

Improved management plans will be put in place for some 8 000 ha; and

Conditions for wading birds, such as the ruff (Philomachus pugnax) and the dunlin (Calidris alpina schinzii) will also be improved.